We’ve all got that perfect Road Trip playlist ready should we ever go on the adventure of a lifetime. Now a popular travelling style for many who are boycotting flying or who simply crave a holiday that they can make up on the go, road trips are becoming more popular than ever before.
If you have your eye on a road trip that’s bound to set your adventurous spirit on fire, there are a few things to think about before you switch on the ignition. Make sure you have everything sorted to ensure that your adventure of a lifetime goes off without a hitch.
Set a budget
You might be avoiding expensive train and plane fares, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to create a budget for your road trip. A simple way to keep track of all your expenses is by creating a dedicated document or Excel sheet. From there, you can factor in everyday costs like food, activities, accommodation, and gas.
You can also make significant savings by designing an efficient route that stops by all the places you want to see. By optimising your route, you’ll find that the gas costs won’t be so high. This should free up some money for when you want to eat out or buy other miscellaneous things along the way.
Your car will also require extra costs beyond the fuel. Set aside some money for repairs that might have to be done, money for spare parts, and make sure your car insurance is up to date.
Pack ahead
Packing ahead is a great idea if you don’t want to run the risk of forgetting something important. As well as your clothes and personal belongings, remember to take your travel essentials like travel documents, medications, sun protection, equipment for outdoor activities, and maps.
If you plan on camping, you will need to pack a fair bit. Remember your gas stove, tent, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, and little things like waterproof bags, cool bag, and ice bricks to keep your food cool. Amidst the stress of rushed packing, you can easily forget these things and end up splashing out to buy new versions on the trip.
Book ahead
Just because you can go off-road doesn’t mean that everywhere you go will be isolated from other tourists. If you’re planning your road trip in the summer, you certainly need to think ahead with booking accommodation and popular activities. If you book ahead, you’re also more likely to get a great deal price wise!
Booking ahead also gives you one less thing to think about whilst you’re on the road and allows you to live in the moment until your next destination.
